TR Campus’ TREE club hosted a pajama rally bringing awareness to equal rights for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community at the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth.
The rally on March 25 came a day before the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage.
Gail Lockwood, president of TREE, said with everything going on in the nation right now, she felt it was important to create a voice for Fort Worth supporting the cause.
Club members, friends, family and TCC advisors showed up to support the equal rights cause, standing streetside and picketing as early-morning traffic passed by.
“I want society to see there is another side to the culture in the gay community,” said TREE member Stephen Swartzendruber. “We are not all partying, promiscuous people. We are a productive part of society. We raise families and contribute to society.”
Alex Exman, secretary of TREE, said what he finds most frustrating is the allowed bullying and hatred in the school system.
“Every time our government enters into this debate, it becomes political,” Exman said. “There is human suffering resulting from this situation.”
Supporters say same-sex couples are denied 1,138 rights that heterosexual couples have, including filing joint taxes, insurance benefits and hospital visits.
Exman’s mother Christi, who was also rallying with her son, said many are unaware of the hardships gays and lesbians go through.
“I don’t think people realize how difficult it is,” she said.
– Elyssa Whaley
